New Memoir by Former Priest & NDP Candidate

New Memoir by Former Priest & NDP Candidate - theHumm July 2022

By Rick Prashaw

I have long loved libraries and indie bookstores.

On a drive to Almonte last month, I delivered my second memoir, Father Rick, Roamin’ Catholic (Friesen Press 2022) to an affable Ann Shea at Mill Street Books, later giving my “elevator pitch” to the Almonte Public Library staff.

“The 70-year ‘crooked, straight’ faith memoir of a former priest and then proud Dad to his trans son, mixing mischief, irreverence, and biting commentary on the troubles in the Catholic Church and religion,” I enthused.

They seemed intrigued, but who knows, what with the chat through masks that has my hearing-impaired ears living out a Monty Python movie these past few years, the foggy glasses, masks snaring hearing aids, and covering up others’ lips I apparently read so well.

On the drive from Ottawa, I remembered fondly my valiant NDP candidacy in Almonte that I tell in the book.

“…a move to Kanata in the west end of Ottawa set me up for a real-life Best Laid Plans political campaign. Enthusiasm for the new NDP leader Jack Layton betrayed me. Activists wanted me to run in the 2004 federal election in the Carleton-Mississippi Mills riding that included mostly suburban voters and a dozen rural communities (Almonte etc.). In Terry Fallis’ Best Laid Plans novel, the Scot, Angus McLintock, was another Rick sacrificial lamb chosen for a hopeless cause when, lo and behold, a political scandal and karma hurdled him to an astonishing, upset victory. That ending would be pure fiction for me.

“On leave from my job, I did run, relishing the dozen debates, media interviews, conversations with voters, articulating a social democrat approach to federal and global policies for the economy, environment, and social inclusion for all. As in ministry, I told back to people their own stories that I had heard while canvassing — bills to pay, few childcare options, hardships facing small business owners, and farmers losing the family farm. In the same block, citizens slammed their door in my face while their neighbour chased me down the street to hear my views on the Middle East. Voters! Politics! When a rural debate in a packed community hall ended, I ran to the back doors to greet everyone as I had after a church service. One farmer slapped me on the back to pronounce me the debate’s winner. It was evident though that he was sticking with his Conservative party.

“With clergy abuse stories prevalent in the media, it was suggested I use vaguer ‘ministry’ references for my bio. I insisted on priest. I had nothing to hide. Indeed, two voters asked why I left the priesthood. ‘Love,’ I answered. That was no scandal.

“I had wanted a better result than my third place and the 6,758 votes that left me far behind the new Conservative MP, Gordon O’Connor. A week before the election, a Liberal friend had whispered their polling had the local NDP at seventeen percent. We couldn’t afford any polling; we were jealous of opponents’ radio ad buys and billboards. Seventeen percent was unprecedented support for the NDP there. However, strategic voting messages — vote Liberal to stop Conservative Stephen Harper — helped elect a minority Paul Martin government, delaying a Harper victory another two years. The riding association still earned its $1,000 campaign rebate for the first time, delighting the merry band of tireless volunteers. I had my Layton leader-candidate photo as a keepsake and a renewed faith in democracy.

“I should have known it would not be a McLintock ending. My housekeeper, who liked my views, confessed she could not vote for the NDP because ‘her father would turn in his grave’. She laughed when I told her that, from even the little I knew of her past, her father had probably turned in his grave several times already. Voting for me might have him right side up!”

On a serious note, the book’s sobering commentary on clergy abuse, residential schools, and judgment of LGBTQ+ folk are alongside praise for good priests, and the many good works of faith communities.

Like my “crooked, straight” journey to heaven’s doors, it’s complicated. I am still a believer, still standing, celebrating a big God, searching for answers, astonished by it all.

Signed copies of Father Rick, Roamin’ Catholic are available at Mill Street Books. More on Rick Prashaw and his writing and activism can be found at rickprashaw.com , and @RickPrashaw on social media.

Dave Card — He Lives Up to his Name - theHumm July 2022

By Sally Hansen

Art… and Soul

We say someone is a real card when they go out of their way to amuse and surprise us — the expression comes from the 19th century, and is based on playing cards that all had illustrations of characters with distinct personalities. Wood sculptor Dave Card more than fills the bill (another idiom from the 19th century). Card is a dedicated artist continuously striving to create whimsical woodland characters with distinct personalities to make......

New Memoir by Former Priest & NDP Candidate - theHumm July 2022